Image processing system, image capturing device, image processing terminal, image processing data storage terminal, program for the device, program for the terminal, data structure of image data, method of processing image, and method of generating image data

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an image processing system which is suitable to carry out image processing in excellent accuracy while removing influence due to characteristics depending on the type difference and which facilitates wide and flexible adaptation over image capturing devices. A digital camera includes an image pick-up sensor unit which receives images as data, a URL memory unit which stores a URL to indicate an acquisition site of image processing data, and a URL adding unit which adds the URL in the URL memory unit to the image data. The printer includes an RAW data read unit which reads out the image data, a URL acquisition unit which acquires the URL added to the image data, an image processing data acquisition unit which acquires the image processing data from the image processing data storage server based on the acquired URL, and an image data processing unit to process the image data based on the acquired image processing data.

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/617,867 filed Jul. 14,2003. The disclosure of the prior application is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a system and a method of processingimage data, a device, a terminal and a program adapted to the system, adata structure of image data, and a method of generating image data.More particularly, the invention relates to an image processing systemsuitable to carry out image processing in excellent accuracy whileremoving influence of characteristics depending on the type differenceand the like and facilitating wide and flexible adaptation over imagecapturing devices, an image capturing device, an image processingterminal, an image processing data storage terminal, a program for thedevice, a program for the terminal, a data structure of image data, anda method of processing image and a method of generating image data.

2. Description of Related Art

In related art digital still cameras (hereafter “digital camera”),various image processes, such as color converting, color correcting andthe like, are carried out in a procedure of generating image data.However, the digital camera must carry out the image process within arestrained range of resources (performance of CPU or memory), so thatthere are some limitations to carry out the image processing inexcellent accuracy.

In order to address or solve these limitations, the related art includesa digital camera employing the RAW format in which the digital cameradoes not substantially carry out the image process and output data fromsensors, such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is output as it is. In thiscase, if an application dedicated to process the RAW data is installedin a personal computer (personal computer), the personal computer isable to carry out the image process in excellent accuracy. However,since the dedicated application must be installed in every type ofdigital cameras, it cannot have generality. For example, general imageprocessing applications, such as Photoshop of Adobe that are accustomedto users cannot be used.

In this manner, if the digital camera with the RAW format and a personalcomputer are combined in use, the results of image processing can beobtained in excellent accuracy while removing influence ofcharacteristics depending on the type difference and the like. Sincegeneral users' personal computers are connected to one camera in mostcases or only several cameras even if they exist, it is not complicateto install the dedicated application in every type of the cameras.However, there are problems in the case of printers other than thepersonal computers. That is, the related art includes direct printingtype printers that connect the digital cameras or the memories thereofto read image data and to carry out image process to print out. If suchdirect printing type printers are intended to be generally correspondingto the digital camera of RAW format, the dedicated applications must beinstalled in all the types of printers to be associated, and it isdifficult to achieve this.

Related art techniques of processing the image data captured by digitalcameras, etc., include, for example, the image processing devicedisclosed in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2002-33994 (hereafter “first related art example”), the imagereproducing device disclosed in the Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 10-191246 (hereafter “second related artexample”), and the image capturing device disclosed in the JapaneseUnexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-223979 (hereafter“third related art example”).

The first related art example includes a profile setting unit which setsa profile corresponding to a type of digital cameras over image dataacquired by the digital camera, and an image processing unit whichcarries out the image process depending on the type of the digitalcamera using the profile set by the profile setting unit, and alsoincludes a new profile acquisition unit which acquires a profilecorresponding to a new type of a digital camera from a central serverdevice connected through a network to supply the profile to the profilesetting unit. By doing so, it is possible to remove influence due todifferent characteristics depending on the types of the digital camerasfrom the image data acquired by the digital camera and also to rapidlycorrespond to a new type of digital camera, so that the image processcan be carried out in excellent efficiency.

In the second related art example, the capturing is carried out by adigital camera which has a function (a capturing information addingunit) to add capturing information representing a capturing condition todigital image data acquired in the capturing. An image reproducingdevice carries out the image process over the image data acquired in thecapturing by using the capturing information added to the image data ata setup processing unit to enhance the image quality, and thenreproduces the image data as a print or a display image of a monitor. Bydoing so, when a photographic image captured by the digital camera isreproduced, it is possible to immediately reproduce the photographicimage in a high quality of image without repeating fine adjustmentsusing a test print or a monitor checking in order to enhance the imagequality.

The third related art example is an image capturing device to capturethe image of a subject and recording the image data which includes animage pick-up unit to pick up the image of the subject, and a recordingunit to record an image pick-up output signal output by the imagepick-up unit as the image data and recording image pick-up signal formatidentifying information which identifies the signal format of the imagepick-up output signal as separated out from the image data, and a signalprocessing unit to convert the image pick-up output signal recorded bythe recording unit into a reproducing signal for reproduction display,and a display unit with which display the image based on the reproducingsignal converted by the signal processing unit. By doing so, it ispossible to record and reproduce the RAW data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, since the first related art example has a construction that theprofile necessary for the image processing is acquired from a particularserver, it is difficult to utilize profiles registered in the serversother than the particular server. When the first related art example isapplied to the direct printing type printer, it has the mode thatprofiles with respect to the digital cameras currently provided or anydigital cameras to be provided in the future are registered to theparticular server and are used in the printer. However, since there aremany types of digital cameras to be regarded as connected to the printerand all the digital cameras are not necessarily manufactured by the samemaker, it is not practicable to register profiles in a specific serverwith respect to all the types to be intended to correspond to and usethem in the printer. In practice, the profile with respect to thedigital camera that is provided by each maker will be registered in theserver that the maker operates and maintains. Therefore, in the firstrelated art example, since it is difficult to correspond to products ofplural maker's, there is a problem that it is difficult to achieve wideadaptation.

Moreover, although the second related art example has a constructionthat the capturing information added to the image data is received inthe personal computer and the image data processing is carried out basedon the added capturing information, only the capturing informationrepresenting the capturing conditions is insufficient to carry out theimage process in excellent accuracy. Further, although it has beenconsidered that the contents of the capturing information are made indetail so as to achieve the image processing in excellent accuracy, thechanges of the contents of the capturing information after supplying thedigital camera result in the changes of the internal specifications ofthe digital camera and then it is difficult to require the accuracyrequired for the case of implementing the image processing in a betteraccuracy for the existing types, so that it is difficult to make aflexible adaptation.

Moreover, although the third related art example has a construction thatthe RAW data added to the image pick-up signal format identifyinginformation and the like are received in the personal computer and theimage is reproduced based on the added image pick-up signal formatidentifying information and the like and the RAW data, it is only toreproduce the RAW data and then it is insufficient to carry out theimage process in excellent accuracy. In similarity to the second relatedart example, although it has been considered that the contents of theimage pick-up signal format identifying information and the like aremade in detail so as to achieve the image processing in excellentaccuracy, the changes of the contents of the image pick-up signal formatidentifying information and the like after supplying the digital cameraresult in the changes of the internal specifications of the digitalcamera and then it is difficult to require the accuracy required for thecase of implementing the image processing in a better accuracy for theexisting types, so that it is difficult to make a flexible adaptation.

These problems are not limited to the digital cameras, and the sameproblems are also applicable in a digital video device, an imagecapturing device or other devices.

Therefore, the present invention addresses the above and/or otherproblems, and provides an image processing system suitable to carry outimage processing in excellent accuracy while removing influence ofcharacteristics depending on the type difference and the like andfacilitating wide and flexible adaptation over image capturing devices,an image capturing device, an image processing terminal, an imageprocessing data storage terminal, a program for the device, a programfor the terminal, a data structure of an image data, a method ofprocessing an image, and a method of generating an image data.

(Aspect 1)

In order to address or accomplish the above, an image processing systemof aspect 1 includes an image capturing device, an image processing datastorage terminal to store image processing data necessary to carry outimage processing, and an image processing terminal to carry out theimage processing. The image processing system processes, with the imageprocessing terminal, the image data captured by the image capturingdevice based on the image processing data in the image processing datastorage terminal.

The image processing data storage terminal and the image processingterminal are communicatively connected to each other.

The image capturing device includes an image receiving device to receiveimages as data and an access information associating device to associateaccess information indicating an acquisition site of the imageprocessing data with the image data received by the image receivingdevice.

The image processing terminal includes an image data input device toinput the image data from the image capturing device, an imageprocessing data acquisition device to acquire the image processing datafrom the image processing data storage terminal based on the accessinformation associated with the image data input by the image data inputdevice, and an image data processing device to process the image datainput by the image data input device based on the image processing dataacquired by the image processing data acquisition device.

The image processing data storage terminal provides the image processingdata in response to a request from the image processing terminal.

According to this construction, when the capturing is carried out in theimage capturing device, the captured image is received as a data by theimage receiving device, and then the received image data is associatedwith access information by the access information associating device.

In the image processing terminal, the image data is input from the imagecapturing device by the image data input device, and the imageprocessing data is acquired by the image processing data acquisitiondevice from the image processing data storage terminal based on theaccess information corresponding to the input image data.

In the image processing data storage terminal, the image processing datais provided in response to a request from the image processing terminal.

In the image processing terminal, when the image processing data isacquired, the input image data is processed by the image data processingdevice based on the acquired image processing data.

Here, the access information associating device is not limited tocorrespond to the image data and the access information in a bundle, butit may, for example, separate the image data from the access informationand add the reference information of the one of them to the other,thereby associating them. Hereafter, these are the same as an imageprocessing system of aspect 2, an image capturing device of aspect 20and a program for the device of aspect 23.

Furthermore, the image processing data may be any of informationnecessary to carry out the image processing, and for example, includesimage correcting data which represents correcting values to carry outoperation on the image data in order to correct the image constructed onthe basis of the image data, a calculation formula data which representsa calculating formula to carry out operation on the image data in orderto correct the image constructed on the basis of the image data, or animage processing module which represents program data to correct theimage constructed on the basis of the image data. Hereafter, these arethe same as an image processing system of aspect 2, an image capturingdevice of aspect 20, an image processing terminal of aspect 21, an imageprocessing data storage terminal of aspect 22, programs for theterminals of aspects 24 and 25, a data structure of an image data ofaspect 26, a method of processing an image of aspect 27, and a method ofgenerating an image data of aspect 28.

Furthermore, the image data input device may have any of constructionsthat the image data can be input from the image capturing device, andfor example, may have the construction that the image data is input fromthe image capturing device when the image capturing device and the imageprocessing terminal are communicatively connected to each other or theconstruction that in case of the image capturing device having an imagedata memory device to store the image data, the image data memory deviceis separated out from the image capturing device and then the image datais input from the image data memory device. Hereafter, these are thesame as an image processing system of aspect 2, an image processingterminal of aspect 21, and a program for the terminal of aspect 24.

(Aspect 2)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 2 includes an imagecapturing device, an image processing data storage terminal to storeimage processing data necessary to carry out image processing, and animage processing terminal to carry out the image processing. The imageprocessing system processes, with the image processing terminal, theimage data captured by the image capturing device based on the imageprocessing data in the image processing data storage terminal.

The image processing data storage terminal and the image processingterminal are communicatively connected to each other.

The image capturing device includes an image receiving device to receiveimages as data, an access information memory device to store accessinformation indicating an acquisition site of the image processing data,and an access information associating device to associate the accessinformation in the access information memory device with the image datareceived by the image receiving device.

The image processing terminal includes an image data input device toinput the image data from the image capturing device, an accessinformation acquisition device to acquire the access informationassociated with the image data input by the image data input device, animage processing data acquisition device to acquire the image processingdata from the image processing data storage terminal based on the accessinformation acquired by the access information acquisition device, andan image data processing device to process the image data input by theimage data input device based on the image processing data acquired bythe image processing data acquisition device.

The image processing data storage terminal includes an image processingdata memory device to store the image processing data, and an imageprocessing data supplying device to supply an image processing datacorresponding to a request from the image processing terminal among theimage processing data in the image processing data memory device to theimage processing terminal.

According to this construction, when the capturing is carried out in theimage capturing device, the captured image is received as a data by theimage receiving device, and then the received image data is associatedwith the access information in the access information memory device bythe access information associating device.

In the image processing terminal, the image data is input from the imagecapturing device by the image data input device, the access informationassociated with the input image data is acquired by the accessinformation acquisition device, and the image processing data isacquired by the image processing data acquisition device from the imageprocessing data storage terminal based on the acquired accessinformation.

In the image processing data storage terminal, when receiving a requestfrom the image processing terminal, the image processing data respondingto the request from the image processing terminal, among the imageprocessing data of the image processing data memory device is providedto the image processing terminal by the image processing data supplyingdevice.

In the image processing terminal, when the image processing data isacquired, the input image data is processed by the image data processingdevice based on the acquired image processing data.

Here, the access information memory device stores the access informationby any method at any time, and in other words, it may store the accessinformation at the previous time, or it may not store the accessinformation at the previous time but store the access information viainput from external sides at the time of operation of this system.Hereafter, these are the same as an image capturing device of aspect 20,a program for the device of aspect 23, a method of processing an imageof aspect 27, and a method of generating an image data of aspect 28.

Here, the image processing data memory device stores the imageprocessing data by any method at any time, and in other words, it maystore the image processing data at the previous time, or it may notstore the image processing data at the previous time but store the imageprocessing data via input from external sides at the time of operationof this system. Hereafter, these are the same as an image processingdata storage terminal of aspect 22, a program for the terminal of aspect25, and a method of processing an image of aspect 27.

(Aspect 3)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 3 according to the imageprocessing system of aspect 2 further includes a plurality of the imageprocessing data storage terminals.

The image processing data acquisition device accesses the imageprocessing data storage terminal specified by the access informationacquired by the access information acquisition device, among theplurality of the image processing data storage terminals, and acquiresthe image processing data from the image processing data storageterminal.

According to this construction, in the image processing terminal, by theimage processing data acquisition device, the image processing datastorage terminal specified by the acquired access information, among theplurality of the image processing data storage terminals is accessed andthe image processing data is acquired from the image processing datastorage terminal.

(Aspect 4)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 4 according to the imageprocessing system of aspect 3 is provided such that the image processingdata is image correcting data representing correcting values to carryout a calculation on the image data in order to correct an imageconstructed on the basis of the image data.

According to this construction, in the image processing terminal, whenthe image correcting data is acquired, an operation is carried out overthe input image data by the image data processing device based on theacquired image correcting data and then the image correcting is carriedout.

(Aspect 5)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 5 according to the imageprocessing system of aspect 3 is provided such that the image processingdata is an image processing module representing program data whichcorrects an image constructed on the basis of the image data.

According to this construction, in the image processing terminal, whenthe image processing module is acquired, the acquired image processingmodule is carried out over the image data by the image data processingdevice and then the image is corrected by the carrying-out.

(Aspect 6)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 6 according to the imageprocessing system of any one of aspects 3 to 5 is provided such that theaccess information associating device adds the access information in theaccess information memory device to the image data received by the imagereceiving device.

According to this construction, in the image capturing device, theaccess information in the access information memory device is added tothe received image data by the access information associating device. Bydoing so, the image data and the access information are associated witheach other.

(Aspect 7)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 7 according to the imageprocessing system of any one of aspects 3 to 5 is provided such that theaccess information associating device generates files in a separatemanner from the image data received by the image receiving device andthe access information in the access information memory device, and addsreference information to one of the image data files storing the imagedata and the access information file storing the access information, thereference information having the other thereof as a reference site.

According to this construction, in the access information associatingdevice, the received image data and the access information in the accessinformation memory device are generated as separate files, respectively,and the information having one of the image data files and the accessinformation file as a reference site is added to the other thereof. Bydoing so, the image data and the access information are associated witheach other.

(Aspect 8)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 8 according to the imageprocessing system of any one of aspects 3 to 5 is provided such that theaccess information associating device encrypts the access information inthe access information memory device, and superposes the encryptedaccess information on the image data received by the image receivingdevice.

According to this construction, in the access information associatingdevice, the access information in the access information memory deviceis encrypted, and the encrypted access information is superposed on thereceived image data. By doing so, the image data and the accessinformation are associated with each other.

(Aspect 9)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 9 according to the imageprocessing system of any one of aspects 3 to 8 is provided such that theimage capturing device further includes a capturing informationgenerating device to generate capturing information representingcapturing modes or a capturing environment of the image over the imagedata received by the image receiving device, and a capturing informationassociating device to associate the capturing information generated bythe capturing information generating device to the image data receivedby the image receiving device.

According to this construction, in the image capturing device, thecapturing information representing the capturing mode or the capturingenvironment of the image over the received image data is generated bythe capturing information generating device, and the capturinginformation is associated with the received image data by the capturinginformation associating device.

(Aspect 10)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 10 according to the imageprocessing system of any one of aspects 3 to 9 is provided such that theaccess information memory device stores the access information for eachof the capturing modes when a plurality of the capturing modes isdefined, and the access information associating device reads out theaccess information corresponding to a plurality of capturing modes,which are all different, from the access information memory device, andassociates the plurality of pieces of read access information with theimage data.

According to this construction, by the access information associatingdevice, the access information associated with the plurality ofdifferent capturing modes are read respectively from the accessinformation memory device, and the plurality of the read information areassociated with the image data.

Here, the access information associating device reads out the accessinformation associated with the plurality of different capturing modes,but it may read the access information corresponding to all thecapturing modes or the access information corresponding to some of thecapturing modes. In the latter case, for example, the access informationcorresponding to the capturing mode same as or associated with thecapturing modes over the received image data can be read.

(Aspect 11)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 11 according to the imageprocessing system of aspect 10 is provided such that the imageprocessing terminal further includes a capturing mode designating deviceto designate the capturing modes, and the access information acquisitiondevice acquires the access information corresponding to the capturingmode designated by the capturing mode designating device, among theplurality of pieces of access information associated with the image datainput by the image data input device.

According to this construction, in the image processing terminal, whenthe capturing mode is designated by the capturing mode designatingdevice, the access information corresponding to the designated capturingmode, is acquired from among the plurality of pieces of accessinformation corresponding to the input image data by the accessinformation acquisition device.

(Aspect 12)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 12 according to the imageprocessing system of any one of aspects 3 to 9 is provided such that theaccess information memory device stores the access information for eachof the output devices when a plurality of output devices to output theimage formed on the basis of the image data is defined; and the accessinformation associating device reads out the access informationassociated with the plurality of different output devices respectivelyfrom the access information memory device, and associates the pluralityof the read access information with the image data.

According to this construction, by the access information associatingdevice, the access information corresponding to the different pluralityof the output devices are read respectively from the access informationmemory device, and the plurality of the read information is associatedwith the image data.

Here, the access information associating device reads out the accessinformation corresponding to the different plurality of the outputdevices, but it may read the access information corresponding to all theoutput devices or the access information corresponding to some of theoutput devices. In the latter case, for example, the access informationassociated with the output devices same as or associated with the outputdevices over the received image data can be read.

Further, the output devices include, for example, a printer, a display,or other devices to output the image data.

(Aspect 13)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 13 according to the imageprocessing system of aspect 12 is provided such that the imageprocessing terminal further includes an output device designating deviceto designate the output devices, and the access information acquisitiondevice acquires the access information associated with the output devicedesignated by the output device designating device, among the pluralityof pieces of access information associated with the image data input bythe image data input device.

According to this construction, in the image processing terminal, whenthe output device is designated by the output device designating device,the access information corresponding to the designated output device, isacquired from among the plurality of pieces of access informationcorresponding to the input image data by the access informationacquisition device.

(Aspect 14)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 14 according to the imageprocessing system of any one of aspects 3 to 13 is provided such thatthe access information is a URL.

According to this construction, in the image capturing device, the URLin the access information memory device is associated with the receivedimage data by the access information associating device.

In the image processing terminal, the image data is input from the imagecapturing device by the image data input device, the URL correspondingto the input image data is acquired by the access informationacquisition device, the image processing data is acquired from the imageprocessing data storage terminal by the image processing dataacquisition device based on the acquired URL.

(Aspect 15)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 15 according to the imageprocessing system of any one of aspects 3 to 14 is provided such thatthe image receiving device receives the image as RAW data.

According to this construction, in the image capturing device, the imageis received as RAW data by the image receiving device.

(Aspect 16)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 16 according to the imageprocessing system of aspect 15 is provided such that the image capturingdevice further includes an image data compressing device to compress theRAW data received by the image receiving device using a predeterminedcompressing scheme, and the access information associating deviceassociates the access information in the access information memorydevice with the compressed image data compressed by the image datacompressing device.

According to this construction, in the image capturing device, thereceived RAW data is compressed using a predetermined compressing schemeby the image data compressing device, and the access information in theaccess information memory device is associated with the compressed imagedata by the access information associating device.

Here, the predetermined compressing scheme may be employed among anycompressing schemes including irreversible compressing schemes, such asJPEG (Joint Photographic coding Experts Group), or reversiblecompressing schemes, such as LZH and ZIP, but it is preferable that thereversible compressing scheme is employed in terms of obtaining theresult of image processing in excellent accuracy.

(Aspect 17)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 17 according to the imageprocessing system of any one of aspects 3 to 16 is provided such thatthe image processing data memory device stores the compressed imageprocessing data into which the image processing data is compressed usinga predetermined compressing scheme, the image processing terminalfurther includes an image processing data restoring device to restorethe compressed image processing data acquired by the image processingdata acquisition device using a restoring scheme corresponding to thecompressing scheme, and the image data processing device processes theimage data input by the image data input device based on the image datarestored by the image processing data restoring device.

According to this construction, in the image processing data storageterminal, when receiving a request from the image processing terminal,the compressed image processing data responding to the request from theimage processing terminal, among the compressed image processing data inthe image processing data memory device is provided to the imageprocessing terminal by the image processing data supplying device.

In the image processing terminal, when the compressed image processingdata is acquired, the acquired compressed image processing data isrestored by the image processing data restoring device in apredetermined recovering scheme, and the input image data is processedby the image data processing device based on the restored imageprocessing data.

(Aspect 18)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 18 according to the imageprocessing system of any one of aspects 3 to 17 is provided such thatthe image data processing device generates CMYK data from the image datainput by the image data input device.

According to this construction, in the image processing terminal, theCMYK data is generated from the input image data by the image dataprocessing device.

(Aspect 19)

Further, an image processing system of aspect 19 according to the imageprocessing system of any one of aspects 3 to 18 is provided such thatthe image processing terminal is a printer to carry out printing basedon the image data processed by the image data processing device.

According to this construction, in the printer, the image data is inputfrom the image capturing device by the image data input device, theaccess information associated with the input image data is acquired bythe access information acquisition device, and the image processing datais acquired from the image processing data storage terminal by the imageprocessing data acquisition device based on the acquired accessinformation.

In the image processing data storage terminal, when receiving a requestfrom the printer, the image processing data responding to the requestfrom the printer, among the image processing data in the imageprocessing data memory device is provided to the printer by the imageprocessing data supplying device.

In the printer, when the image processing data is acquired, the inputimage data is processed by the image data processing device based on theacquired image processing data, and the printing is carried out based onthe processed image data.

(Aspect 20)

Further, in order to address or accomplish the above, an image capturingdevice of aspect 20 adapted to the image processing system of aspect 2includes an image receiving device to receive images as data, an accessinformation memory device to store access information indicating anacquisition site of the image processing data, and an access informationassociating device to associate the access information in the accessinformation memory device with the image data received by the imagereceiving device.

According to this construction, it is possible to obtain functionsequivalent to those of image capturing device in the image processingsystem of aspect 2.

(Aspect 21)

Further, in order to address or accomplish the above, an imageprocessing terminal of aspect 21 adapted to the image processing systemof aspect 2 includes an image data input device to input the image datafrom the image capturing device, an access information acquisitiondevice to acquire the access information associated with the image datainput by the image data input device, an image processing dataacquisition device to acquire the image processing data from the imageprocessing data storage terminal based on the access informationacquired by the access information acquisition device, and an image dataprocessing device to process the image data input by the image datainput device based on the image processing data acquired by the imageprocessing data acquisition device.

According to this construction, it is possible to obtain functionsequivalent to those of an image processing terminal in the imageprocessing system of aspect 2.

(Aspect 22)

Further, in order to address or accomplish the above, an imageprocessing data storage terminal of aspect 22 adapted to the imageprocessing system of aspect 2 includes an image processing data memorydevice to store the image processing data, and an image processing datasupplying device to supply an image processing data corresponding to arequest from the image processing terminal from among the imageprocessing data in the image processing data memory device to the imageprocessing terminal.

According to this construction, it is possible to obtain functionsequivalent to those of image processing data storage terminal in theimage processing system of aspect 2.

(Aspect 23)

Further, in order to address or accomplish the above, a program for adevice of aspect 23 for execution on the image capturing devicedisclosed in aspect 20, which is made of a computer includes a programfor executing a process implemented by the access informationassociating device to associate the access information in the accessinformation memory device with the image data received by the imagereceiving device.

According to this construction, when the program is read by the computerand the process is carried out by the computer in accordance with theread program, it is possible to obtain functions equivalent to those ofthe image capturing device of aspect 20.

(Aspect 24)

Further, in order to address or accomplish the above, a program for aterminal of aspect 24 for execution on the image processing terminal ofaspect 21, which is made of a computer includes a program for executingprocesses implemented by the image data input device to input the imagedata from the image capturing device, the access information acquisitiondevice to acquire the access information associated with the image datainput by the image data input device, the image processing dataacquisition device to acquire the image processing data from the imageprocessing data storage terminal based on the access informationacquired by the access information acquisition device, and the imagedata processing device to process the image data input by the image datainput device based on the image processing data acquired by the imageprocessing data acquisition device.

According to this construction, when the program is read by the computerand processing is carried out by the computer in accordance with theread program, it is possible to obtain functions equivalent to those ofthe image processing terminal of aspect 21.

(Aspect 25)

Further, in order to address or accomplish the above, a program for aterminal of aspect 25 for execution on the image processing data storageterminal of aspect 22, which is made of a computer includes a programfor executing a process implemented by the image processing datasupplying device to supply an image processing data corresponding to arequest from the image processing terminal from among the imageprocessing data in the image processing data memory device to the imageprocessing terminal.

According to this construction, when the program is read by the computerand processing is carried out by the computer in accordance with theread program, it is possible to obtain functions equivalent to those ofthe image processing data storage terminal of aspect 22.

(Aspect 26)

Further, in order to address or accomplish the above, a data structureof an image data of aspect 26, which is a data structure of an imagedata in the image processing system of aspect 6 includes the image dataand access information indicating an acquisition site of the imageprocessing data and the access information is added to the image data.

According to this construction, in the image processing terminal, theimage data is input from the image capturing device by the image datainput device, the access information added to the input image data isacquired from the image data by the access information acquisitiondevice, and the image processing data is acquired from the imageprocessing data storage terminal by the image processing dataacquisition device based on the acquired access information.

(Aspect 27)

Further, in order to address or accomplish the above, an imageprocessing method of aspect 27, which is a method of communicativelyconnecting to each other an image processing data storage terminal tostore image processing data necessary to carry out image processing andan image processing terminal to carry out the image processing based onthe image processing data, and of processing the image data captured bythe image capturing device using the image processing data storageterminal, the image processing terminal and the image capturing device.The method includes: in the image capturing device, an image receivingstep of receiving the images as data, and an access informationassociating step of associating access information in access informationmemory device to store access information indicating an acquisition siteof the image processing data with the image data received in the imagereceiving step; in the image processing terminal, an image data inputstep of inputting the image data from the image capturing device, anaccess information acquisition step of acquiring the access informationassociated with the image data input in the image data input step, andan image processing data acquisition step of acquiring the imageprocessing data from the image processing data storage terminal based onthe access information acquired in the access information acquisitionstep; in the image processing data storage terminal, an image processingdata supplying step of supplying the image processing data responding toa request from the image processing terminal, among the image processingdata in an image processing data memory device to store the imageprocessing data to the image processing terminal; and in the imageprocessing terminal, an image data processing step of processing theimage data input in the image data input step based on the imageprocessing data acquired in the image processing data acquisition step.

Here, the image data input step may include any method that the imagedata can be input from the image capturing device, and for example, mayinclude a method that the image data is input from the image capturingdevice when the image capturing device and the image processing terminalare communicatively connected to each other, or a method that in case ofthe image capturing device having an image data memory device to storethe image data, the image data memory device being separated out fromthe image capturing device and then the image data is input from theimage data memory device.

(Aspect 28)

Further, in order to address or accomplish the above, an image datagenerating method of aspect 28, which is a method of generating an imagedata includes an image receiving step of receiving the images as data,and an access information associating step of associating accessinformation in access information memory device to store accessinformation indicating an acquisition site of the image processing datawith the image data received in the image receiving step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating an image processing system accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an image capturing processing;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an image printing process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments according to the present invention are describedbelow with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 are schematicsillustrating exemplary embodiments of an image processing system, animage capturing device, an image processing terminal, an imageprocessing data storage terminal, a program for the device, a programfor the terminal, a data structure of an image data, a method ofprocessing an image, and a method of generating an image data accordingto the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present exemplary embodiment includes an imageprocessing system, an image capturing device, an image processingterminal, an image processing data storage terminal, a program for thedevice, a program for the terminal, a data structure of an image data, amethod of processing an image, and a method of generating an image dataaccording to the present invention are applied to the case that aprinter 200 processes an image data captured by a digital camera 100 tobe printed.

First, the image processing system according to the present invention isdescribed below with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematicillustrating the image processing system according to the presentinvention.

The image processing system according to the present invention, as shownin FIG. 1, includes the digital camera 100, a direct printing typeprinter 200 which processes the image data captured by the digitalcamera 100 to be printed, and an image processing data storage server300 which stores image processing data necessary to carry out imageprocessing.

The digital camera 100 and the printer 200 are communicatively connectedto each other through a predetermined cable when the printer 200 carriesout printing image, and then the image data captured by the digitalcamera 100 is transmitted to the printer 200. Furthermore, theconnection is not limited to the cable connection, but it may bepossible that the built-in memory is separated out from the digitalcamera 100 and then the printer 200 reads the built-in memory, therebythe image data being transmitted to the printer 200.

Further, the printer 200 and the image processing data storage server300 are communicatively connected to each other through the Internet199. Moreover, although the only one image processing data storageserver 300 is shown for the sake of easily understanding the presentinvention, in practice, a plurality of the image processing data storageservers 300 are connected through the Internet 199.

Next, the construction of the digital camera 100 is described in detailwith reference to FIG. 1.

The digital camera 100, as shown in FIG. 1, includes an image pick-upsensor unit 102, an A/D converting unit 104 which A/D-converts the imagepick-up signal from the image pick-up sensor unit 102, an RAW datacompressing unit 106 which compresses an RAW data from the A/Dconverting unit 104, a capturing information generating unit 108 whichgenerates capturing information, a capturing information adding unit 110which adds the capturing information to the compressed RAW data from theRAW data compressing unit 106, a URL memory unit 112 which stores a URL,a URL adding unit 114 which adds the URL to the compressed RAW data fromthe capturing information adding unit 110, and an RAW data memory unit116 which stores the compressed RAW data from the URL adding unit 114.

The image pick-up sensor unit 102 includes a predetermined number ofpixels which are constructed with CCD, CMOS (Complementary Metal-OxideSemiconductor), and the like, and receives an image using a mechanicalshutter or an electronic shutter as light quantity at the time that arelease switch (not shown) is pushed on. The receiving is carried outevery pixel, and for example in case of 5 million pixels, the detectionof the light quantity is carried out every pixel in a quadrilateralarrangement having 2,500 pixels in the horizontal direction and 2,000pixels in the vertical direction. Further, an analog signal representingthe detection quantity of each pixel is output as an image pick-upsignal to A/D converting unit 104.

The image pick-up signal is input from the image pick-up sensor unit102, the A/D converting unit 104 A/D-converts the signal to a digitaldata which has, for example, 8 to 16 bit representing the luminance perpixel, and outputs the RAW data obtained with the A/D-converting to theRAW data compressing unit 106.

The RAW data compressing unit 106 compresses the RAW data received bythe A/D converting unit 104 in a reversible compressing scheme in orderto reduce the data capacity of the RAW data and then outputs thecompressed RAW data to the capturing information adding unit 110. Forexample, the compressing format such as LZH and ZIP, can be utilized forthe reversible compressing scheme.

The capturing information generating unit 108 generates the capturinginformation representing the capturing mode or the capturing environmentof the image over the received RAW data received from the A/D convertingunit 104 and outputs the generated capturing information to thecapturing information adding unit 110. The capturing information, whichis noticeable from the digital camera 100 at the time of the capturingincludes information about, for example, exposure (diaphragm, speed ofshutter, etc.), light source (daylight, fluorescent lamp, incandescentlamp, etc.), flash information, exposure mode (automatic, manual, etc.),capturing mode (landscape, portrait, nightscape, etc.), distance fromsubject, region of subject (a position which can be focused, a positionof the image on which the subject is located), and white balance setting(automatic, fixed, etc.).

The capturing information adding unit 110 adds the capturing informationgenerated at the capturing information generating unit 108 to the frontend of the compressed RAW data from the RAW data compressing unit 106and then outputs the compressed RAW data added with the capturinginformation to the URL adding unit 114.

In the URL memory unit 112, a plurality of URLs which represent theacquisition sites of the image processing data according to thecharacteristics of the digital camera 100 are stored. The imageprocessing data include, for example, image correcting data whichrepresents correcting values to carry out a calculation on the RAW datain order to correct the image constructed on the basis of the RAW data,and an image processing module which represents program data correctingthe image constructed on the basis of the RAW data.

The URL adding unit 114 adds the URL in the URL memory unit 112 to thefront end of the compressed RAW data from the capturing informationadding unit 110 and stores the compressed RAW data added with the URL tothe RAW data memory unit 116.

The digital camera 100 is, more specifically, constructed having thesame functions as those of a general computer in which CPU, ROM, RAM,and I/F are connected through bus, and the CPU which is constructed withmicro processing unit (MPU) starts up a predetermined program stored ina predetermined region of ROM to carry out the image capturingprocessing as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 in accordance with theprogram.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an image capturing processing.

The image capturing processing which is a processing to capture an imageand storing the RAW data obtained by capturing the image in the built-inmemory, first proceeds to step S100 at the execution in CPU, as shown inFIG. 2.

In Step S100, the capturing is carried out by the image pick-up sensorunit 102 at the timing that a release switch (not shown) is pushed on toproceed to step S102, the image pick-up signal from the image pick-upsensor unit 102 is A/D-converted to proceed to step S104, and the RAWdata obtained with A/D-converting is compressed in a reversiblecompressing scheme to proceed to step S106.

In step S106, the capturing information is generated to proceed to stepS108, the generated capturing information is added to the frond end ofthe compressed RAW data to proceed to step S110, and the URL is readfrom the URL memory unit 112 to proceed to step S112.

In step S112, the read URL is added to the front end of the compressedRAW data added with the capturing information to proceed to step S114,the compressed RAW data added with the capturing information and the URLis stored in the RAW data memory unit 116, and a series of process arecompleted to return the original process.

Next, the construction of the printer 200 is described in detail withreference to FIG. 1.

The printer 200, as shown in FIG. 1, includes an RAW data read unit 202which reads out the compressed RAW data, an RAW data restoring unit 204which restores the compressed RAW data read in the RAW data read unit202, a capturing information acquisition unit 206 which acquires thecapturing information from the RAW data of the RAW data restoring unit204, a URL acquisition unit 208 which acquires the URL from the RAW dataof the capturing information acquisition unit 206, an image processingdata acquisition unit 210 which acquires the image processing data fromthe image processing data storage server 300, an image data processingunit 212 which carries out the image processing over the RAW data fromthe URL acquisition unit 208, a pseudo halftone processing unit 214which carries out a pseudo halftone processing over the RAW data onwhich the processing is completed from the image data processing unit212, and a printing unit 216 which carries out printing based on the RAWdata on which the processing is completed from the pseudo halftoneprocessing unit 214.

The RAW data read unit 202 reads out the compressed RAW data from theRAW data memory unit 116 when it communicatively connects the digitalcamera 100, and then it outputs the read compressed RAW data to the RAWdata restoring unit 204.

The RAW data restoring unit 204 restores the compressed RAW data fromthe RAW data read unit 202 in a reversible restoring schemecorresponding to the aforementioned reversible compressing scheme, andthen outputs the restored RAW data to the capturing informationacquisition unit 206.

The capturing information acquisition unit 206 acquires the capturinginformation from the RAW data of the RAW data restoring unit 204 andthen outputs the acquired capturing information to the image dataprocessing unit 212 and simultaneously outputs the RAW data to the URLacquisition unit 208.

The URL acquisition unit 208 acquires the URL from the RAW data of thecapturing information acquisition unit 206 and then outputs the acquiredURL to the image processing data acquisition unit 210 and simultaneouslyoutputs the RAW data to the image data processing unit 212.

The image processing data acquisition unit 210 accesses the imageprocessing data storage server 300 specified by the URL from the URLacquisition unit 208, acquires the image correcting data and the imageprocessing module from the image processing data storage server 300 asthe image processing data, and outputs the acquired image processingdata to the image data processing unit 212.

The image data processing unit 212 comprises a color interpolating unit212 a, a color correcting unit 212 b, a noise removing unit 212 c, asharpness processing unit 212 d, and a color converting unit 212 e.

The color interpolating unit 212 a carries out a color interpolatingover the RAW data of the URL acquisition unit 208 based on the capturinginformation from the capturing information acquisition unit 206 and theimage correcting data and the image processing module from the imageprocessing data acquisition unit 210, and then outputs the RGB datacarried out with the color interpolating to the color correcting unit212 b. Since CCD is only able to detect the light quantity, in order toacquire color image, the digital camera 100 is further provided with acolor filter (RGB or YMCG) in front of the sensor and detects the lightpassing through the color filter, thereby detecting the light quantityof each color of the RGB. For this reason, it is necessary to obtain asa URL how many color filters the data of each pixel is acquired bypassing through. Further, it may be acquired as an image processingmodule. In the result of the color interpolating, full color data(48[bit/pixel]) having all the data of each pixel RGB is generated byone data (16[bit/pixel]) of any one color of each pixel RGB. However,the RGB data of this case is a RGB data in the color space defined bythe maker of the digital camera 100.

The color correcting unit 212 b carries out a color correcting of, forexample brightness, contrast, chromaticity, color blurring, memory colorsuch as flesh-color or green of tree, and the like over the RGB datafrom the color interpolating unit 212 a based on the capturinginformation from the capturing information acquisition unit 206 and theimage correcting data and the image processing module from the imageprocessing data acquisition unit 210, and then outputs the RGB datacarried out with the color correcting to the noise removing unit 212 c.

The noise removing unit 212 c carries out a noise removing over the RGBdata from the color correcting unit 212 b based on the capturinginformation from the capturing information acquisition unit 206 and theimage processing data from the image processing data acquisition unit210, and then outputs the RGB data carried out with the noise removingto the sharpness processing unit 212 d.

The a sharpness processing unit 212 d carries out a sharpness processingover the RGB data from the noise removing unit 212 c based on thecapturing information from the capturing information acquisition unit206 and the image processing data from the image processing dataacquisition unit 210, and then outputs the RGB data carried out with thesharpness processing to the color converting unit 212 e.

The color converting unit 212 e carries out RGB-CMYK converting over theRGB data from the sharpness processing unit 212 d based on the capturinginformation from the capturing information acquisition unit 206 and theimage processing data from the image processing data acquisition unit210, and then outputs the RGB data carried out with the color convertingto the pseudo halftone processing unit 214.

The pseudo halftone processing unit 214 carries out a pseudo halftoneprocessing over the RAW data from the color converting unit 212 e byusing such a processing as error diffusion, converts it into CMYK datahaving multi-value such as two-value, four-value, etc., and outputs theconverted CMYK data to the printing unit 216.

The printing unit 216 carries out printing based on the CMYK data frompseudo halftone processing unit 214.

The printer 200 is, more specifically, constructed having the samefunctions as those of a general computer in which CPU, ROM, RAM, andI/F, etc., are connected through a bus, and the CPU which is constructedwith micro processing unit (MPU) or the like starts up a predeterminedprogram stored in a predetermined region of ROM to carry out the imageprinting processing as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 in accordancewith the program. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an image printingprocessing.

The image printing processing which, when communicatively connected withthe digital camera 100 is communicatively connected, is a processing toread out the RAW data from the digital camera 100 and then carry outprinting over the read RAW data, first proceeds to step S200 at theexecution in CPU, as shown in FIG. 3.

In Step S200, the compressed RAW data is read from the RAW data memoryunit 116 to proceed to step S202, the read compressed RAW data isrestored to proceed to step S204, and the capturing information isacquired from the restored RAW data to proceed to step S206.

In step S206, the URL is acquired from the restored RAW data to proceedto step S208, the image processing data storage server 300 specified bythe acquired URL is accessed, the image processing data is acquired fromthe image processing data storage server 300 to proceed to step S210,and the color interpolating is carried out over the RAW data based onthe image processing data and the capturing information to proceed tostep S212.

In step S212, the color correcting is carried out over the RGB databased on the image processing data and the capturing information toproceed to step S214, the noise removing is carried out over the RGBdata based on the image processing data and the capturing information toproceed to step S216, and the sharpness processing is carried out overthe RGB data based on the image processing data and the capturinginformation to proceed to step S218.

In step S218, the color converting is carried out over the RGB databased on the image processing data and the capturing information toproceed to step S220, the pseudo halftone processing is carried out overthe RGB data to proceed to step S222, and the printing data is generatedbased on the CMYK data carried out with the pseudo halftone processingto proceed to step S224.

In S224, the printing is carried out based on the generated printingdata, and a series of process are completed to return the originalprocess.

Next, the construction of the image processing data storage server 300is described in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

The image processing data storage server 300, as shown in FIG. 1,includes an image correcting data memory unit 302 which stores imagecorrecting data, an image processing module memory unit 304 which storesan image processing module, and an image processing data transmittingunit 306 which, in response to a request from the printer 200, transmitsthe image correcting data from the image correcting data memory unit 302or the image processing module from the image processing module memoryunit 304 as image processing data to the printer 200.

Next, the operations of the present exemplary embodiments are described.

In the digital camera 100, when a release switch (not shown) is pushedon by a user, capturing is carried out through steps S100 to S104 by theimage pick-up sensor unit 102 at the timing that a release switch ispushed on, the image pick-up signal from the image pick-up sensor unit102 is A/D-converted by the A/D converting unit 104, and the RAW dataobtained with A/D-converting is compressed by the RAW data compressingunit 106 in a reversible compressing scheme.

Subsequently, through steps S106 and S108, the capturing information isgenerated by the capturing information generating unit 108, and thegenerated capturing information is added to the frond end of thecompressed RAW data by the capturing information adding unit 110.Further, through steps S110 to S114, the URL is read from the URL memoryunit 112 by the URL adding unit 114, the read URL is added to the frontend of the compressed RAW data, and the compressed RAW data added withthe capturing information and the URL is stored in the RAW data memoryunit 116.

Next, when the digital camera 100 and the printer 200 arecommunicatively connected in order to carry out the image printing atthe printer 200, in the printer 200, through steps S200 to S204, thecompressed RAW data from the RAW data memory unit 116 is read by the RAWdata read unit 202, the read compressed RAW data is restored by the RAWdata restoring unit 204, and the capturing information is acquired fromthe restored RAW data by the capturing information acquisition unit 206.

Subsequently, through steps S206 and S208, the URL is acquired from therestored RAW data by the URL acquisition unit 208, the image processingdata storage server 300 specified by the acquired URL is accessed by theimage processing data acquisition unit 210, and the image processingdata is acquired from the image processing data storage server 300.

In the image processing data storage server 300, when a request from theprinter 200 is received, the image processing data transmitting unit 306transmits the image correcting data or the image processing modulecorresponding to the request from the printer 200, from among the imagecorrecting data of the image correcting data in the image correctingdata memory unit 302 and the image processing module in the imageprocessing module memory unit 304, to the printer 200.

In the printer 200, if the image processing data is acquired, when it isthe image processing module, the image processing module is carried out,and when it is the image correcting data, the image processing such asthe color interpolating is carried out based on the image correctingdata. More specifically, through steps S210 to S218, an imageprocessing, such as color interpolating, color correcting, noiseremoving, sharpness processing and color converting is carried out bythe image data processing unit 212 based on the acquired imageprocessing data and the capturing information over the RAW data.Further, through steps S220 to S224, the pseudo halftone processing iscarried out by the pseudo halftone processing unit 214 over the RGB datafrom the image data processing unit 212, the result is converted intoCMYK data having multi-value, such as two-value, four-value, etc., andthen the printing is carried out by the printing unit 216 based on thegenerated CMYK data.

In this manner, in the present exemplary embodiment, the digital camera100 includes the image pick-up sensor unit 102 and the A/D convertingunit 104 which receive the images as data, the URL memory unit 112 whichstores the URL indicating the acquisition site of the image processingdata, and the URL adding unit 114 which adds the URL of the URL memoryunit 112 to the RAW data; the printer 200 includes the RAW data readunit 202 which reads out the RAW data from the digital camera 100, theURL acquisition unit 208 which acquires the URL added to the RAW dataread at the RAW data read unit 202, the image processing dataacquisition unit 210 which acquires the image processing data from theimage processing data storage server 300 based on the URL acquired fromthe URL acquisition unit 208, and the image data processing unit 212which processes the RAW data read at the RAW data read unit 202 based onthe image processing data acquired at the image processing dataacquisition unit 210; and the image processing data storage server 300includes the image correcting data memory unit 302 and image processingmodule memory unit 304 which store the image processing data, and theimage processing data transmitting unit 306 which, in response to arequest from the printer 200, transmits the image processing data of theimage correcting data memory unit 302 or the image processing modulememory unit 304 to the printer 200.

By doing so, the digital camera 100 outputs the RAW data added with theURL, so that the printer 200 can acquire the image processing datasuitable for the RAW data based on the URL. Therefore, it is possible toobtain the printing result in relatively excellent accuracy withremoving influence of characteristics depending on the type differenceand the like. Further, since the acquisition site is represented by theURL, the printer 200 can utilize the image processing data storageserver 300 without checking the acquisition site, so that the printerside can easily make wide adaptation over the digital camera 100 incomparison to the related art one. Moreover, since the image processingdata is stored in the image processing data storage server 300, thecontents of the image processing data can easily be changed even afterthe digital camera is provided, so that the printer 200 side can easilymake flexible adaptation over the digital camera 100 in comparison tothe related art one.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the image processing datais image correcting data representing correcting values to carry out acalculation on the RAW data in order to correct the image constructed onthe basis of the RAW data.

By doing so, the image correcting is carried out, so that it is possibleto obtain the result of the image processing in better accuracy.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the image processing datais an image processing module representing program data which correctsthe image constructed on the basis of the RAW data.

By doing so, the image correcting is carried out, so that it is possibleto obtain the result of the image processing in better accuracy.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the digital camera 100further includes the capturing information generating unit 108 whichgenerates the capturing information and the capturing information addingunit 110 which adds the capturing information generated at the capturinginformation generating unit 108 to the RAW data.

By doing so, the digital camera 100 outputs the RAW data added with thecapturing information and the URL, so that the printer 200 can acquirethe image processing data suitable for the RAW data based on the URL andthe image processing can be carried out based on the image processingdata and the capturing information. Therefore, it is possible to obtainthe result of the image processing in better accuracy.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the image pick-up sensorunit 102 and the A/D converting unit 104 receive the image as RAW data.

By doing so, in the printer 200, the image processing can be carried outbased on the RAW data, so that it is possible to obtain the result ofthe image processing in better accuracy.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the digital camera 100further includes the RAW data compressing unit 106 which compresses thereceived RAW data in a reversible compressing scheme, and the URL addingunit 114 adds the URL in the URL memory unit 112 to the compressed RAWdata compressed at the RAW data compressing unit 106.

By doing so, in the digital camera 100, since the RAW data is compressedin the reversible compressing scheme, it is possible to reduce thenecessary memory capacity, and also in the printer 200, since the imageprocessing can be carried out based on the RAW data, it is possible toobtain the result of the image processing in better accuracy.

In the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the digital camera 100corresponds to the image capturing device of aspects 1, 2, 9, 16, 20,21, 23, 24 or 27, the image pick-up sensor unit 102 and the A/Dconverting unit 104 correspond to the image receiving device of aspects1, 2, 6, 9, 15, 16, 20 or 23. Furthermore, the receiving of the imagepick-up sensor unit 102 and the A/D converting unit 104 correspond tothe image receiving step of aspects 27 and 28, the RAW data compressingunit 106 corresponds to the image data compressing device of aspect 16,and the capturing information generating unit 108 corresponds to thecapturing information generating device of aspect 9.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the capturinginformation adding unit 110 corresponds to the capturing informationassociating device of aspect 9, the URL memory unit 112 corresponds tothe access information memory device of aspects 2, 6, 16, 20, 23, 27 or28, and the URL adding unit 114 corresponds to the access informationassociating device of aspects 1, 2, 6, 16, 20 or 23.

Furthermore, the adding of the URL adding unit 144 corresponds to thestep of the access information associating step of aspect 27 or aspect28, the printer 200 corresponds to the image processing terminal ofaspects 1, 2, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25 or 27, and the RAW data read unit 202corresponds to the image data input device of aspects 1, 2, 18, 21 or24.

Further, in aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the read by the RAWdata read unit 202 corresponds to the image data input step of aspect27, the URL acquisition unit 208 corresponds to the access informationacquisition device of aspects 2, 3, 21 or 24, and the acquisition by theURL acquisition unit 208 corresponds to the access informationacquisition step of aspect 27. Furthermore, the image processing dataacquisition unit 210 corresponds to the image processing dataacquisition device of aspects 1 to 3, aspect 21 or aspect 24, theacquisition of the image processing data acquisition unit 210corresponds to the image processing data acquisition step of aspect 27,and the image data processing unit 212 corresponds to the image dataprocessing device of aspects 1, 2, 18, 19, 21 or 24.

Further, in aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the processing of theimage data processing unit 212 corresponds to the image data processingstep of aspect 27, the image processing data storage server 300corresponds to the image processing data storage terminal of aspects 1to 3, aspects 21, 22, 24, 25 or 27, and the image correcting data memoryunit 302 and the image processing module memory unit 304 correspond tothe image processing data memory device of aspects 2, 22, 25 or 27.

Furthermore, the image processing data transmitting unit 306 correspondsto the image processing data supplying device of aspects 2, 22 or 25,the transmitting of the image processing data transmitting unit 306corresponds to the image processing data supplying step of aspect 27,and the URL corresponds to the access information of aspects 1 to 3,aspects 6, 14, 16, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26 to 28.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the RAW datacorresponds to the image data of aspect 1, aspect 2, aspects 4 to 6,aspect 9, aspect 16, aspects 18 to 21, aspect 23, aspect 24, aspects 26to 28.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although theURL adding unit 114 have the construction that the URL of the URL memoryunit 112 is added to the front end of the RAW data, it is not limited tothe construction, but it may have the construction that the RAW data andthe URL of the URL memory unit 212 are generated as separate files,respectively, and one of the RAW data file to store the RAW data and theURL file to store the URL is added with reference information having theother thereof as a reference site.

In this case, the image pick-up sensor unit 102 and the A/D convertingunit 104 correspond to the image receiving device of aspect 7, the URLmemory unit 112 corresponds to the access information memory device ofaspect 7, the URL adding unit 114 corresponds to the access informationassociating device of aspect 7, and the URL corresponds to the accessinformation of aspect 7. Further, the RAW data corresponds to the imagedata of aspect 7.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although theURL adding unit 114 have the construction that the URL of the URL memoryunit 212 is added to the front end of the RAW data, it is not limited tothe construction, but it may have the construction that the URL of theURL memory unit 212 are encrypted and the encrypted URL is superposed onthe RAW data.

In this case, the image pick-up sensor unit 102 and the A/D convertingunit 104 correspond to the image receiving device of aspect 8, the URLmemory unit 112 corresponds to the access information memory device ofaspect 8, the URL adding unit 114 corresponds to the access informationassociating device of aspect 8, and the URL corresponds to the accessinformation of aspect 8. Further, the RAW data corresponds to the imagedata of aspect 8.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although theconstruction that a plurality of the URLs are added to the RAW data isnot specifically described, a plurality of the URL may be constructed tobe added to the RAW data, as described below. In other words, in the URLmemory unit 112, the URL is stored for every capturing mode. The URLadding unit 114 reads out the URLs corresponding to the differentplurality of the capturing modes from the URL memory unit 112 and theread plurality of the URLs are added to the RAW data.

By doing so, the digital camera 100 outputs the RAW data added with theURLs corresponding to the different plurality of the capturing modes, sothat the printer 200 can acquire the image processing data suitable foreach of the capturing modes and the RAW data based on the URLs.Therefore, it is possible to obtain the result of the image processingspecified to each of the capturing modes.

In this case, when a personal computer carries out the image processingin place of the printer 200, it is preferable that the personal computeris constructed as follows. In other words, the personal computer has aconstruction equivalent to that of the printer 200, and also hascapturing modes designating unit which designates the capturing mode.The URL acquisition unit 208 acquires the URL corresponding to thecapturing mode designated at the capturing mode designating unit, amongthe plurality of the URLs added to the RAW data which are read at theRAW data read unit 202.

By doing so, in the personal computer, it is possible to acquire theimage processing data suitable for the capturing mode and the RAW databased on the URL corresponding to the capturing mode designated by user,etc. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the result of the imageprocessing specified to the capturing mode designated by the user, etc.Furthermore, the designation of the capturing mode is not limit to theprocessing of the personal computer, and it is also possible that it isprocessed by the digital camera 100 or the printer 200, if necessary.

In this case, the URL memory unit 112 corresponds to the accessinformation memory device of aspect 10, the URL adding unit 114corresponds to the access information associating device of aspect 10,the RAW data read unit 202 corresponds to the image data input device ofaspect 11, and the URL acquisition unit 208 corresponds to the accessinformation acquisition device of aspect 11. Furthermore, the URLcorresponds to the access information of aspect 10 or aspect 11. The RAWdata corresponds to the image data of aspect 10 or aspect 11.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although theconstruction that a plurality of the URLs are added to the RAW data isnot specifically described, a plurality of the URL may be constructed tobe added to the RAW data when the RAW data is processed by a personalcomputer used for general purposes other than the printer 200, asdescribed below. In other words, in the URL memory unit 112, the URL isstored for every output device. The URL adding unit 114 reads out theURLs corresponding to the different plurality of the output devices fromthe URL memory unit 112 and the read plurality of the URLs are added tothe RAW data.

By doing so, the digital camera 100 outputs the RAW data added with theURLs corresponding to the different plurality of the output devices, sothat the personal computer can acquire the image processing datasuitable for each of the output devices and the RAW data based on theURLs. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the result of the imageprocessing specified by each of the output devices.

In this case, it is preferable that the personal computer is constructedas follows. In other words, the personal computer has an output devicesdesignating unit which designates the output device. The URL acquisitionunit 208 acquires the URL corresponding to the output device designatedat the output device designating unit, among the plurality of the URLsadded to the RAW data which are read at the RAW data read unit 202.

By doing so, in the personal computer, it is possible to acquire theimage processing data suitable for the output device and the RAW databased on the URL corresponding to the output device designated by user,etc. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the result of the imageprocessing specified by the output device designated by the user, etc.

In this case, the URL memory unit 112 corresponds to the accessinformation memory device of aspect 12, the URL adding unit 114corresponds to the access information associating device of aspect 12,the personal computer corresponds to the image processing terminal ofaspect 13. The RAW data corresponds to the image data of aspect 12 oraspect 13.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although theconstruction that the image processing data stored in the imageprocessing data storage server 300 is compressed is not specificallydescribed, the image processing data may be constructed to becompressed, as described below. In other words, in the image correctingdata memory unit 302 and the image processing module memory unit 304,the compressed image processing data into which the image processingdata is compressed using a predetermined compressing scheme is stored.Furthermore, the printer 200 includes the image processing datarestoring unit which restores the compressed image processing dataacquired at the image processing data acquisition unit 210 using arestoring scheme corresponding to the compressing scheme. The image dataprocessing unit 212 processes the RAW data read at the RAW data readunit 202 based on the image processing data restored at the imageprocessing data restoring unit.

By doing so, since the image processing data stored in the imageprocessing data storage server 300 is compressed, it is possible toreduce the data capacity communicated between the printer 200 and theimage processing data storage server 300.

In this case, the printer 200 corresponds to the image processingterminal of aspect 17, the RAW data read unit 202 corresponds to theimage data input device of aspect 17, the image processing dataacquisition unit 210 corresponds to the image processing dataacquisition device of aspect 17, and the image data processing unit 212corresponds to the image data processing device of aspect 17.Furthermore, the image correcting data memory unit 302 and the imageprocessing module memory unit 304 correspond to the image processingdata memory device of aspect 17, and the RAW data corresponds to theimage data of aspect 17.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although it hasthe construction that the printer 200 carries out the image processing,it is not limited to the construction, but it may have the constructionthat the image process is carried out by a projector, a personalcomputer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a cellular phone, the PHS(a registered trade mark) (Personal Handyphone System), a watch-typePDA, or other image terminals for processing, for example.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although thedigital camera 100 is used as a device to capture the image, it is notlimited to the digital camera, but a digital video camera, a scanner, acopy machine, or other image devices for capturing may be used, forexample.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although it hasthe construction that the RAW data is stored in the RAW data memory unit116 of the digital camera 100 and the RAW data in the RAW data memoryunit 116 is output to the printer 200, it is not limited to theconstruction, but it may have the construction that, for example, thedigital camera 100 and the printer 200 are communicatively connected toeach other through a cable, etc., and the RAW data captured by thedigital camera 100 is directly output to the printer 200 without beingstored in the built-in memory. In this case, the RAW data memory unit116 may not be provided.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although theconstruction that the image processing data stored in the imageprocessing data storage server 300 is encrypted is not specificallydescribed, the image processing data may be encrypted, so that it ispossible that each of the makers of the digital cameras 100 provide itsimage processing functions over each of the output devices withoutpublishing its know-how. It is preferable that the encryption is carriedout with, for example, a public key scheme, etc.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although theprinter 200 is illustrated to be used as an output device, it is notlimited to the printer, but a display device (CRT (Cathode Ray Tube),LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc.), a laboratory machine, a laserprinter, a sublimation type printer, or any other output devices may beused, for example.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although theURL is used, a dynamic link such as CGI and ASP is designated withrespect to the URL, so that it is possible to increase the degree offreedom of the data acquisition method in case of actually carrying outacquisition at the time of reference. By doing so, it is possible forthe maker of the digital camera 100 to freely update the imageprocessing module and it is not necessary to perform some update such asrewriting of contents of ROM built in the digital camera 100 which maybe a cause of operational failure.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although the imageprocessing module is not specifically described, it is possible toenhance generality by using the execution module format of defectstandards, such as plug-in format of draw software, etc. Moreover, it ispossible to further enhance generality by using the execution moduleformat that the execution environment, such as JAVA (a registered trademark), etc. is not chosen.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although thedigital camera 100 and the printer 200 are connected through apredetermined cable, it is not limited to the cable, but any wirelesscommunication such as Bluetooth, etc. may be used for connectiontherebetween.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although it hasthe construction that the digital camera 100 compresses the received RAWdata in a reversible compressing scheme, it is not limited to theconstruction, but it may have the construction that an irreversiblecompressing scheme or other compressing scheme is used for thecompression.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although it has theconstruction that the image data processing unit 212 carries out theimage process based on the capturing information from the capturinginformation acquisition unit 206 and the image processing data from theimage processing data acquisition unit 210, it is not limited to theconstruction, and if various characteristics (spectral distributioncharacteristics, xyPoint, dynamic ranges, against-noise performances,optical filter characteristics, etc.) of the image pick-up sensor unit102 and the digital camera 100 itself as well as an arrangement of RGBand CMYG besides the information of the image pick-up sensor unit 102are used, it is possible to carry out the processing with moreefficiency at the color interpolating unit 212 a or the color correctingunit 212 b. Furthermore, the characteristics of the image pick-up sensor102 and the digital camera 100 itself may be added to the image data tobe applied to the image processing block, or may be received form theimage processing data storage server 300.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although it has theconstruction that the color interpolating unit 212 a is corresponded toa single-plate type of the capturing device, it is not limited to theconstruction, but it may have the construction that a multiple-platetype of capturing device other than the single-plate type one may besince the digital camera 100 can be considered to have two-plate type,three-plate type, or others, for example.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although it hasthe construction that the image data processing unit 212 carries out theimage process in the sequence of the color interpolating, the colorcorrection, the sharpness processing, the noise removing processing, andthe color converting, but it is not limited the sequence, but anysequence of the image processing may be carried out. In particular, whenthe plurality of processings are carried out by the only one of theimage processing modules, the sequence may be changed depending on theformat of the image processing module.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although it has theconstruction that after the image process is carried out, the printingor the displaying is carried out based on the image data carried outwith image processing, it is not limited to the construction, but it mayhave the construction that after the image process is carried out, theimage processing data carried out with image processing is stored ortransmitted.

Furthermore, although aforementioned exemplary embodiment is constructedwith the digital camera 100, the printer 200 and the image processingdata storage server 300, it is not limited the construction, but it maybe constructed with the digital camera 100, the image processing datastorage server 300, an image processing server and network printer. Inthis case, after the capturing is carried out with the digital camera100, the image data is transmitted to the network, the image process iscarried out with the image processing server during the transmission,and then it is transmitted to the network printer.

Further, in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, although in theexecutions of the processes shown in the flowcharts in FIGS. 2 and 3,both of them are described in case of execution of the control programpreviously stored in ROM, it is not limited to the case, but the programthat represents the sequence of the processes is read in RAM from thestorage media that the program is stored and then is carried out.

Here, the storage media includes a semiconductor storage media, such asRAM, ROM, etc. a magnetically stored type of storage media, such as FD,HD, etc. an optically read type of storage media, such as CD, CDV, LD,and DVD, and a magnetically stored/optically read type of storage mediasuch as MO, the storage media is all the storage media which arereadable in a computer regardless of all the read methods such aselectronic, magnetic or optical method.

Further, although the aforementioned exemplary embodiment is describedin case that the image processing system, the image capturing device,the image processing terminal, the image processing data storageterminal, the program for the device, the program for the terminal, thedata structure of an image data, the method of processing an image, andthe method of generating an image data are adapted to the network systemconstructed through the Internet 199, it is not limited the case, butthe a system called an intranet which makes communication in the samemanner as the Internet 199 may be adapted. It is not limited to anetwork which makes communication in the same manner as the Internet199, but the typical networks may be adapted.

Further, although the aforementioned exemplary embodiment is describedin case that the image processing system, the image capturing device,the image processing terminal, the image processing data storageterminal, the program for the device, the program for the terminal, thedata structure of an image data, the method of processing an image, andthe method of generating an image data are adapted to the case that theimage data captured by the digital camera 100 is processed with theprinter 200 to carry out printing, as shown in FIG. 1, it is not limitedthe case, but it is may be adapted to other cases without departing fromthe scope and the spirit of the present invention.

[Advantages]

As described above, according to the image processing system disclosedin aspects 1 to 19, the image capturing devices associate the image datawith the access information to output the image data, so that it ispossible that the image processing terminal acquires the imageprocessing data suitable for the image data based on the accessinformation. Therefore, an advantage that it is possible to obtain theimage processing result in relatively excellent accuracy with removinginfluence of characteristics depending on the type difference and thelike is obtained. Further, since the acquisition site is represented inthe access information, the image processing terminal can utilize theimage processing data storage terminal without checking the acquisitionsite, so that an advantage that wide adaptation over the image capturingdevice can be relatively easily made in comparison to the related artone is also obtained. Moreover, since the image processing data isstored in the image processing data storage terminal, the contents ofthe image processing data can easily be changed even after the imagecapturing device is provided, so that an advantage that flexibleadaptation over the image capturing device can be relatively easily madein comparison to the related art one is also obtained.

Furthermore, according to the image processing system disclosed inaspects 3 to 19, since the image processing data storage terminalspecified by the access information is accessed, a plurality of theimage processing data storage terminals can be utilized without theimage processing terminal checking the acquisition site, so that anadvantage that wide adaptation over the image capturing device can befurther easily made is also obtained.

Furthermore, according to the image processing system disclosed inaspects 4 or 5, since the correcting of the image is carried out, anadvantage that the image processing result can be obtained in a betteraccuracy is also obtained.

Furthermore, according to the image processing system disclosed inaspect 9, the image capturing devices associate the image data with thecapturing information and the access information to output the imagedata, so that it is possible that the image processing terminal acquiresthe image processing data suitable for the image data based on theaccess information and carries out the image process based on the imageprocessing data and the capturing information. Therefore, an advantagethat it is possible to obtain the image processing result in a betteraccuracy is also obtained.

Furthermore, according to the image processing system disclosed inaspects 10 or 11, the image capturing devices associate the image datawith the access information corresponding to a different plurality ofthe capturing modes to output the image data, so that it is possiblethat the image processing terminal acquires the image processing datasuitable for the image data and each of the capturing modes based on theaccess information. Therefore, an advantage that it is possible toobtain the image processing result specified to each of the capturingmodes is also obtained.

Furthermore, according to the image processing system disclosed inaspect 11, in the image processing terminal, it is possible to obtainthe image processing data suitable for the capturing mode and the imagedata based on the access information corresponding to the capturing modedesignated by users, etc. Therefore, an advantage that it is possible toobtain the image processing result specified to the capturing modedesignated by users, etc. is also obtained.

Furthermore, according to the image processing system disclosed inaspects 12 or 13, the image capturing devices associate the image datawith the access information corresponding to the plurality of differentoutput devices to output the image data, so that it is possible that theimage processing terminal acquires the image processing data suitablefor the image data and each of the output devices based on the eachaccess information. Therefore, an advantage that it is possible toobtain the image processing result specified to each of the outputdevices is also obtained.

Furthermore, according to the image processing system disclosed inaspect 13, in the image processing terminal, it is possible to obtainthe image processing data suitable for the output device and the imagedata based on the access information corresponding to the output devicedesignated by users, etc. Therefore, an advantage that it is possible toobtain the image processing result specified to the output devicedesignated by users, etc. is also obtained.

Further, according to the image processing system disclosed in aspects15 or 16, in the image processing terminal, the image process can becarried out based on the RAW data, and therefore an advantage that it ispossible to obtain the image processing result in a better accuracy isalso obtained.

Furthermore, according to the image processing system disclosed inaspect 16, since in the image capturing device the RAW data iscompressed using a predetermined compressing scheme, an advantage thatit is possible to reduce the necessary memory capacity is obtained, andsince in the image processing terminal the image process can be carriedout based on the RAW data, an advantage that it is possible to obtainthe image processing result in a better accuracy is also obtained.

Furthermore, according to the image processing system disclosed inaspect 17, since the image processing data stored in the imageprocessing data storage terminal is compressed, an advantage that it ispossible to reduce the data capacity communicated between the imageprocessing terminal and the image processing data storage terminal isalso obtained.

Furthermore, according to the image processing system disclosed inaspect 19, the image capturing devices associate the image data with theaccess information to output the image data, so that it is possible thatthe printer acquires the image processing data suitable for the imagedata based on the access information. Therefore, an advantage that it ispossible to obtain the printing result in relatively excellent accuracywith removing influence of characteristics depending on the typedifference and the like is obtained. Further, since the acquisition siteis represented in the access information, the printer can utilize theimage processing data storage terminal without checking the acquisitionsite, so that an advantage that the printer side can relatively easilymake wide adaptation over the image capturing device in comparison tothe related art one is also obtained. Moreover, since the imageprocessing data is stored in the image processing data storage terminal,the contents of the image processing data can easily be changed evenafter the image capturing device is provided, so that an advantage thatthe printer side can relatively easily make flexible adaptation over theimage capturing device in comparison to the related art one is alsoobtained.

Further, according to the image capturing device in aspect 20, it ispossible to obtain advantage equivalent to those of the image processingsystem in aspect 2.

Further, according to the image processing terminal in aspect 21, it ispossible to obtain advantage equivalent to those of the image processingsystem in aspect 2.

Further, according to the image processing data storage terminal inaspect 22, it is possible to obtain advantage equivalent to those of theimage processing system in aspect 2.

Further, according to the program for the device in aspect 23, it ispossible to obtain advantage equivalent to those of the image capturingdevice in aspect 20.

Further, according to the program for the terminal in aspect 24, it ispossible to obtain advantage equivalent to those of the image processingterminal in aspect 21.

Further, according to the program for the terminal in aspect 25, it ispossible to obtain advantage equivalent to those of the image processingdata storage terminal in aspect 22.

Further, according to the data structure of the image data in aspect 26,it is possible to obtain advantage equivalent to those of the imageprocessing system in aspect 6.

Further, according to the method of processing an image in aspect 27, itis possible to obtain advantage equivalent to those of the imageprocessing system in aspect 2.

Further, according to the method of generating an image data in aspect28, it is possible to obtain advantage equivalent to those of the datastructure of the image data in aspect 26.

1. An image processing terminal communicatively connectable to an imageprocessing data storage terminal, comprising: an image data input deviceto input image data; an image processing data acquisition device toacquire image processing data from the image processing data storageterminal based on access information associated with the image datainput by the image data input device; and an image data processingdevice to process the image data input by the image data input devicebased on the image processing data acquired by the image processing dataacquisition device.
 2. The image processing terminal according to claim1, further communicatively connectable to a plurality of the imageprocessing data storage terminals, the image processing data acquisitiondevice accessing the image processing data storage terminal specified bythe access information acquired by the access information acquisitiondevice, among the plurality of image processing data storage terminals,and acquiring the image processing data from the image processing datastorage terminal.
 3. The image processing terminal according to claim 1,the image processing data being image correcting data representingcorrecting values to carry out a calculation on the image data in orderto correct an image constructed on the basis of the image data.
 4. Theimage processing terminal according to claim 1, the image processingdata being an image processing module representing program data whichcorrects an image constructed on the basis of the image data.
 5. Theimage processing terminal according to claim 1, the access informationbeing stored in a separate file from the image data.
 6. The imageprocessing terminal according to claim 1, the access information beingencrypted and being superposed on the image data.
 7. The imageprocessing terminal according to claim 1, the image data beingassociated with capturing information representing a capturing mode or acapturing environment of the image of an image data.
 8. The imageprocessing terminal according to claim 1, the image data beingassociated with the access information corresponding to a capturing modeof an image constructed on the basis of the image data.
 9. The imageprocessing terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a capturingmode designating device to designate a capturing mode, and an accessinformation acquisition device acquiring the access informationcorresponding to the capturing mode designated by the capturing modedesignating device among a plurality of access information associatedwith the image data input by the image data input device.
 10. The imageprocessing terminal according to claim 1, the image data beingassociated with the access information corresponding to an output deviceto output the image constructed on the basis of the image data.
 11. Theimage processing terminal according to claim 1, further comprising anoutput device designating device to designate an output device, and anaccess information acquisition device acquiring the access informationassociated with an output device designated by an output devicedesignating device among a plurality of access information associatedwith the image data input by the image data input device.
 12. The imageprocessing terminal according to claim 1, the access information being aURL (Uniform Resource Locator).
 13. The image processing terminalaccording to claim 1, the image data input by the image data inputdevice being RAW data.
 14. The image processing terminal according toclaim 1, the image data input by the image data input device beingcompressed image data.
 15. The image processing terminal according toclaim 1, further comprising an image processing data restoring device torestore compressed image processing data acquired by the imageprocessing data acquisition device using a restoring schemecorresponding to a compressing scheme, and the image processing deviceprocessing the image data input by the image data input device based onthe image processing data restored by the image processing datarestoring device.
 16. The image processing terminal according to claim1, the image data processing device generating CMYK data from the imagedata input by the image data input device.
 17. The image processingterminal according to claim 1, the image processing terminal being aprinter to carry out printing based on the image data processed by theimage data processing device.
 18. A computer-readable medium encodedwith computer-executable instructions according to claim 1, comprising:instructions for executing process implemented by the image data inputdevice to input the image data, the image processing data acquisitiondevice to acquire the image processing data from the image processingdata storage terminal based on the access information associated withthe image data by the image data input device, and the image dataprocessing device to process the image data input by the image datainput device based on the image processing data acquired by the imageprocessing data acquisition device.
 19. An image processing method,comprising: inputting image data into an image processing terminalcommunicatively connectable to an image processing data storageterminal; acquiring image processing data from the image processingterminal communicatively connectable to an image processing data storageterminal; acquiring image processing data from the image processing datastorage terminal based on access information associated with the imagedata in the image processing terminal; and processing the image databased on the image processing data in the image processing terminal.